Clashing With Trump, US Government Report Says Climate Change Will Batter Economy

Climate change will cost the U.S. economy hundreds of billions of dollars by the end of the century, hitting everything from health to infrastructure, according to a government report issued on Friday that the White House called inaccurate.

The congressionally mandated report, written with the help of more than a dozen U.S. government agencies and departments, outlined the projected impact of global warming on every corner of American society in a dire warning that is at odds with the Trump administration’s pro-fossil-fuels agenda.

“With continued growth in emissions at historic rates, annual losses in some economic sectors are projected to reach hundreds of billions of dollars by the end of the century – more than the current gross domestic product (GDP) of many U.S. states,” the report, the Fourth National Climate Assessment Volume II, said.

But it added that projections of further damage could change if greenhouse gas emissions are sharply curbed, even though many of the impacts of climate change – including more frequent and more powerful storms, droughts and flooding – are already underway. “Future risks from climate change depend primarily on decisions made today,” it said.

The report supplements a study issued last year that concluded humans are the main driver of global warming and warned of catastrophic effects to the planet.

The studies clash with policy under President Donald Trump, who has been rolling back Obama-era environmental and climate protections to maximize production of domestic fossil fuels, including crude oil, already the highest in the world, above Saudi Arabia and Russia.

White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters said the new report was “largely based on the most extreme scenario, which contradicts long-established trends by assuming that…there would be limited technology and innovation, and a rapidly expanding population.”

The government’s next update of the National Climate Assessment, she said, “gives us the opportunity to provide for a more transparent and data-driven process that includes fuller information on the range of potential scenarios and outcomes.”

Trump last year announced his intention to withdraw the United States from the 2015 Paris Deal agreed by nearly 200 nations to combat climate change, arguing the accord would hurt the U.S. economy and provide little tangible environmental benefit. Trump and several members of his cabinet have also repeatedly cast doubt on the science of climate change, arguing that the causes and impacts are not yet settled.

Environmental groups said the report reinforced their calls for the United States to take action on climate change.

“While President Trump continues to ignore the threat of climate change, his own administration is sounding the alarm,” said Abigail Dillen, president of environmental group Earthjustice. “This report underscores what we are already seeing firsthand: climate change is real, it’s happening here, and it’s happening now.”

Previous research, including from U.S. government scientists, has also concluded that climate change could have severe economic consequences, including damage to infrastructure, water supplies and agriculture.

Severe weather and other impacts also increase the risk of disease transmission, decrease air quality, and can increase mental health problems, among other effects.

Thirteen government departments and agencies, from the Agriculture Department to NASA, were part of the committee that compiled the new report.

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I earned $5000 ultimate month by using operating online only for 5 to 8 hours on my computer and this was so smooth that i personally couldn’t accept as true with before working on this website. if you too need to earn this sort of huge cash then come and… Read more »

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3 months ago

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Rocky Drummond

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What is it going to take for US to wake up, let alone our so called leaders? I can’t think of any other major country who is acting so carelessly. Pretty soon all we will have left are our animal herds. The amount of airborne biomass has plummeted. We overfish.… Read more »

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3 months ago

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Screwtape

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What’s “airborne biomass” and why will its absence be a bad thing? Is it literally when shit hits the fan? You’re overlooking the simple solution for what you believe are all anthropogenic-caused problems. Start killing people. As many as you can. Eliminate, not reduce those carbon footprints. By the way,… Read more »

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3 months ago

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Rocky Drummond

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“Start killing people.” Are you volunteering? I just turned 64 and have never owned a car and do walk and cycle a lot. In the ’70s I was researching how to build my own electric car although the technology wasn’t up to snuff so I canned that idea. I walk… Read more »

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3 months ago

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Screwtape

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Why yes,I would volunteer, provided I have guaranteed immunity and the government pays for the ammo.

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I presumed that you would volunteer to be a murderer, but I also left open the option for you to be culled.

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3 months ago

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Screwtape

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Funny. I knew people in the 70s who DID build electric vehicles. Successfully and using existing technology. There were also these things called golf carts.

I also bicycle, walk, hike (avg. 6.2 miles/per day) but I also drive. Different demands, different options.